Coherent and aligned education systems rely on teachers who are well-prepared and motivated. Initial teacher education is the first stage in teachers' career-long professional development. It is a critical step for teachers to gain the knowledge, competencies, and skills they need for teaching, and to formulate their professional identity and commitment to the field. This report analyzes how primary school teachers are prepared across the world and identifies lessons and guiding principles that can help improve the quality of teacher preparation mechanisms. The case for investing in initial teacher education is presented. The report explores issues around attracting and selecting strong candidates into initial teacher education programs, as well as the content of impactful programs, the methods of assuring quality, and the importance of aligning institutions for responsive, efficient, and quality-driven teacher preparation.
